Rotary motor.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

F. O. WATSON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2, 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

K0 MODEL.

Hill lll wan woes I PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

P. O. WATSON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

51mm (5. .WG 719 or Mom/m1 5 5 3 b I h a a Tu: uonms psrzizs coy. morauma. \imsummow, w c.

PATENTED MAR. '24, 1903.

1 I 2 N v O S M TM A E WY F GA .Tn

FEM L 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H0 MODEL.

P. 0. WATSON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1901 N0 MODEL.

PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 44 glllIll TATBNTED MAR. 24, 1903..

F. O. WATSON.

ROTARY MOTOR.

APPLIOATION IILIED MAY 2. 1901.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

N0 MODEL.

Suva-Aron R a r s o r'\ 2 914514 eases UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. NVATSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROTARY" MOTO R.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,344, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed May 2, 1901.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK (J. WATSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Motors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary motors, and is more particularly designed as an improvement in that class of motors in which an explosive mixture is used as the motive agent.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a motor of the class described which is constructed of a minimum number of parts, thereby rendering the motor extremely simple and less likely to derangement of its parts; but at the same time the inven tion contemplates the provision of a motor which shall be strong and thoroughly positive in its operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a motor in which the movement is imparted to the motor-casing in contradistinction to that class of motors in which the motion is imparted to the parts interior of the casing and transmitted from such interior parts, whereby the casing serves .in the capacity of a balance-wheel and receives the direct impulse of the explosive charge.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a motor which is so constructed that the explosive charge is introduced by suction occasioned by the working of the interior parts of the casing in unison of time with the operation of the inlet-valve and in which the charge becomes thoroughly compressed by such parts, and after the charge is ignited the explosive-chamber becomes entirely cleared of the burned gases,so thateach subsequentlyintroduced charge may be a perfectly fresh one.

A further object of'the invention is to provide a motor in which the degree of heating of the explosion-chamber is reduced to a minimum.

WVith these and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consists substantiallyin the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed outin the appended claims.

' In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a motor constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view thereof. elevation of the motor-casing with one of the heads removed, the bearing-shaft being in section. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the bearing-shaft and the adjacent portion of the casing. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof on the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig.6 is a side elevation of means for opening and closing the circuit controlling the igniter. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the lower contact. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the upper contact. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of the valve controlling the inlet-port. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the motor-casing with one of the heads removed, the bearing-shaft being in'section and illustrating a relative position the wings assume during the rotation of the casing. Fig. 11 is a similar view illustrating a further relative position the wings assume during the rotation of the casing.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates an annulus or ring which forms the body of the motor-casing, and said annulus is provided at its edges with a pair of outwardly-projecting peripheral flanges 2. Arranged at each side of the body 1 and secured to the flanges 2 thereof, through the medium of bolts 3, are the heads 4 of the casing. The body 1 and heads t are provided with a series of ribs 5, through the medium of which a greater surface is presented to the surrounding atmosphere and the heating of the casing thereby reduced to a minimum, so that the employment of water and similar means for reducing such heating is eliminated.

The numeral 6 designates the base of the motor, which base is provided at one of its ends with an upwardly-projecting arm 7, the latter being integral with said base and projecting from the upper portion of said arm, and lying in parallel relation with the base 0 is an inwardly-extending bearing-shaft 8. One of the heads at is provided withacentral aperture for receiving the shaft 8, and surrounding said aperture isa bushing 9 for presenting a proper wearing-surface to the shaft Fig. 3 is aside 8. It is thus apparent that the shaft 8 projects within the casing, and thereby sustains the weight of the latter during the rotation of the same. Secured to the opposite head 4 is an outwardly-projecting spindle 10, which spindle is preferably screw-threaded, and thereby maintained in proper engagement with said head, and said spindle snugly fits within the bushing 11, arranged within the upper end of a pedestal 12, which pedestal is detachably connected to the base 6, through the medium of bolts 13, at apoint diametrically opposite the arm 7. By means of the bearing-shaft 8, which is a stationary element, and around which the casing rotates, and the spindle 10, a perfect support is provided for the casing, and the latter is thereby capable of free rotation without liability of derangement.

Arranged within the body 1 and adapted to rotate therewith is a piston-wing 14, said wing being provided at each of its ends with an outwardly-extending stud 15, and said studs pass through the heads 4 and are secured therein by means of nuts 16. The inner end of the piston-wing 14 is adapted to bear upon the periphery of the bearing-shaft 8 during the greater portion of the rotation of the easing 1, and to the accomplishment of this end an arm 17 is connected to one of the studs at the exterior of the casing, to which arm is connected one end of a spring 18, the other end of which is attached to the adjacent head 4. It will thus be seen that the spring 18 normally exerts its tension to maintain the wing 14 in positive engagement with the shaft 8, and hence said wing is adapted to follow the periphery of said shaft until removed therefrom, as hereinafter described.

The bearing-shaft 8 is provided with an explosion chamber 19, which communicates with an inlet-port 20, leading to the exterior of said shaft, and through said port the explosive mixture is introduced to said chamber. At the opposite side of the shaft 8 the latter is also provided with an outlet-chamber 21, which chambercommunicates with an exhaust-port 22, and this port is normally open to the atmosphere for the escape of the burned gases. In the upper portion of the septum 23, which divides the explosion-chamber 19 and the outlet-chamber 21, is arranged a compressor-wing 24, the latter being provided with an outwardly-extending stud 25, which passes through the bearing-shaft 8 and is provided at its outer end with an arm 26, a nut 27 being mounted upon the stud in order to maintain the wing 24 in proper operative relation to the shaft 8 and at the same time to properly secure the arm 26 upon the stud 25. A spring 28 has one of its ends connected to the arm 26, its other end being connected to a bracket 29, secured to and projecting from the arm 7 and through the medium of the spring 28 exerting its tension upon the arm 26. The free end of the wing 24 is normally in contact with the inner side of thebody 1, and formed on the inner side of said body is a convex abutment 30, which is adapted to contact with the wing 24 for the purpose of moving the same in order to compress the gas, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

For the purpose of controlling the inflow of the explosive mixture through the port 20 a vertically-arranged valve 31 is employed, and said valve extends across the entire diameter of said port in order to completely close the same. This valve is arranged in the upper portion of the arm 7, and arranged in the upper end of said valve is a transversely-extending pin 32, which is secured therein by means of a binding-screw 33. Projecting upwardly from the upper portion of the arm 7 are two sets of parallel guides 34, and said pin 32 is of such length as to project between said guides, and thereby enable the valve 31 to maintain a perfect sliding movement with relation to the inlet 20. Mounted upon the adjacent head 4 is a cam groove or guide 35, and into this guide the inner end of the pin 32 projects. The guide 35 is provided with an offset or cam 36, and through the medium of said cam the raising of the valve 31 is effected. This raising of the valve is properly timed with the rotation of the casing, so that when the wings 14 and 24 are in proper rela tion to the explosion-chamber 19 a charge of the explosive mixture will be admitted thereto. v

The valve 31 is provided with an internal duct 37, which communicates, through a port 38, with the inlet 20. A slot or inlet 37 is arranged at the upper end of the duct 3'7 and communicates at all times with an angular passage 39, which extends through the arm 7, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Acock 40 is located at the inlet end of the passage 39, and by means thereof the amount of gas supplied to the engine through the passage 39, valve-duct 37, and inlet 20 is regulated.

The foregoing mechanism enables the explosive charge to be properly admitted to the casing at such times as will enable the action of the wings 14 and 24 to draw said charge therein by means of suction; but in order that 1 the charge may be properly ignited to efiect its explosion the following mechanism is employed: Arranged within the bearing-shaft 8 and immediately beneath the inlet 20 is a plug 41, which is formed of insulating material, and said plug is secured in said shaft by means of a threaded portion 42. Arranged in the plug 41 is a pair of longitudinally-extending electrodes 43, the inner ends of said electrodes projectinginto theeXplosion-chamber 19, but being separated a sufficient distance to enable the formation of a spark when the electrical circuit is broken. Mounted upon the outer side of the arm 7 is a plate 44, of insulating material, and arranged upon said plate 44 is a pair of spring-metal contacts 46 and 51. The upper contact 46 has its lower end bent to form a loop 47, while its the interior parts, as is ordinarily the case in rotary motors, said casing serves in the capacity of a balance-wheel, and by reason of the ribs 5, formed upon the body 1 and the heads 4, a large surface is presented to the exterior air, and heating of the casing is thereby reduced to a minimum. It is also obvious that it is entirely unnecessary to utilize waterand other cooling mediums for the casing, as is ordinarily the case.

While the form of the invention herein shown and described is what is believed to be a preferable embodiment of the invention, it will of course be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, and the right is reserved to modify or vary the invention as falls within the spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

-1. In a motor of the class described, the

combination with a bearing-shaft having an; inlet and an outlet port; of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, a wing hinged to the shaft and bearing upon the casing, a wing hinged to the casing and bearing upon the shaft, said wings forming an explosion-chamber therebetween, and means for automatically moving one wing toward the other whereby the area of said chamber is diminished.

2. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft having an inlet and an outlet therein; of acasing rotatably mounted upon the shaft, an abutment in the casing, a wing hinged to the casing and normally bearing upon the shaft and a wing hinged to the shaft and bearing upon the easing, said wing being adapted to be moved toward the wing of the casing by the abutment, whereby the area of the chamber formed between the wings is automatically diminished.

3. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a shaft having an inlet and an outlet port therein; of a casing rotatably mounted on the shaft, a wing hinged to the shaft, an arm. to said wing, a spring connected to said arm for holding the wing in contact with the casing, a wing hinged to the casing, an arm thereto, a spring connected to the arm whereby said wing is held normally in contact with the shaft and means upon the casing for moving the shaft-wing toward the wing of the casing.

4. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a fixed shaft and supports therefor; of a casing rotatably mounted on the shaft, a wing hinged to the shaft, an arm outside the casing and connected to the wing, a spring connecting the arm and a shaft-support, whereby said wing is held in contact with the casing, a wing hinged to the casing, an arm thereto outside the casing, a spring connecting said arm to the casing whereby the wing is held normally in contact with the shaft and means upon the casing for moving the shaft-Wing toward the wing of the casing.

5. In a motor of the class described, the combination with abearing-shaft; of acasing rotatably mounted thereon, a piston-wing hinged to said casin and mounted upon the shaft, said wing being adapted to receive the impulse of the explosive charge, a sliding valve operatively related to said casing for controlling the inflow of the explosive charge thereto, and means operatively related to said casing for effecting ignition of said charge.

6. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft, of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, a piston-wing carried by said casing for receiving the impulse of the explosive charge, a Wing carried by said shaft and means carried by the casing for operating said wing whereby com.- pression of the explosive charge is effected.

7. In a motor of the class described, the combination of a bearing-shaft, of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, a piston-wing carried by said casing for receiving the impulse of the explosive charge, a wing carried by said shaft whereby compression of the charge is effected, and means carried by said casing for operating said Wing to effect such compression.

8. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft, of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, a piston-wing carried by said casing for receiving the impulse of the explosive charge, a wing carried by said shaft whereby compression of the charge is effected, and an abutment carried by the casing and operating said wing to effect such compression of the explosive charge.

9. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft, of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, apiston-wing carried by said casing for receiving the impulse of the explosive charge, a wing carried by said shaft, means carried by the casing for operating said wing, whereby compression of the charge is effected, and means operatively related to said casing for controlling the inflow of the explosive charge thereto.

10. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft, of a casing rotatably mounted thereon, a piston-wing carried by said casing for receiving the impulse of the explosive charge, a Wing carried by said shaft, means carried by the casing for operating said wing, whereby compression of the charge is eifected, means operatively related to the casing for controlling the inflow of the explosive charge thereto, and means operatively related to the casing for effecting ignition of said charge.

11. In a motor of the class described, the combination with a bearing-shaft provided with inlet and outlet ports; of a casing rotatably mounted on said shaft, a wing hinged thereto and contacting with the shaft and adapted to receive the impulse of the explosive charge, a wing hinged to the shaft, said wings forming an explosion-chamber therebetween, means for automatically moving one wing toward the other, whereby the area of said chamber is diminished, a valve for controlling the inflow of the explosive charge through the inlet-port, and means operatively related to said casing for actuating said valve.

12. In a motor of the class described,the combination with a bearing-shaft provided with inlet and outlet ports; of a casing rotatably mounted on said shaft, a wing hinged to the casing and bearing upon the shaft, said wing being adapted to receive the impulse of the explosive charge, a wing hinged Witnesses:

HARRISON SoUDER, EDWARD W. SMITH. 

